Senate Race in Ohio: Bernie Moreno Defeats Sherrod Brown

In the recent elections, three-term Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown faced a surprising defeat in Ohio, largely due to his underwhelming performances in the state’s heavily populated metropolitan areas. His struggles in these key locations contributed significantly to the victory of Bernie Moreno, a former car salesman who has gained backing from Trump. Moreno won the Senate race by a margin of 4 percentage points, effectively ending Brown’s tenure as the last Democrat in statewide elected office in Ohio, a state that was once a battleground for elections.

Throughout the campaign, Moreno was projected to lead in the crucial Cincinnati-Dayton region when the race was officially called, although Brown had hoped for stronger numbers in cities like Cleveland and Columbus, where he had maintained a lead. However, the margins in these Democratic strongholds were not substantial enough for him to counteract Moreno’s gains, highlighting a shift in the political landscape of Ohio.

As the race came to a close, Brown faced the daunting task of needing to secure nearly 72% of the outstanding ballots still to be counted to have a chance for victory—an unlikely feat in any of the state’s counties. The result was declared by the Associated Press at 11:28 p.m., confirming Moreno’s success.

The narrative around Ohio’s electoral significance has changed dramatically over the past decade. Previously considered a bellwether state, Ohio has increasingly leaned Republican, with Brown being the rare Democratic exception. Known for his gritty voice and populist style, Brown had managed to remain in office, but the current election proved to be his most challenging contest, ultimately resulting in his loss to the affluent and media-savvy Moreno.

This particular Senate race was marked by record campaign spending, exceeding $400 million, much of which was fueled by contributions from Republican-affiliated organizations aiming to promote Moreno’s candidacy. Brown recognized the severity of the situation early on, even asking then-presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden to exit the race following a less-than-ideal debate performance against Trump. He publicly supported Vice President Kamala Harris as a replacement for Biden but chose to skip the Democratic National Convention, a move that led to criticism from Moreno, who claimed Brown was distancing himself from the party’s leadership.

Despite his victory, Moreno faced criticism from within his own party, notably for dismissive comments he made regarding abortion, claiming it was “crazy” for women over 50 to care about the subject. This contention sparked backlash, even among his Republican peers, underscoring the complexities of navigating sensitive social issues in a competitive political climate.

With over 90% of the vote counted, the Associated Press awarded Moreno a lead of nearly 5 points, showcasing his advantage in suburban areas like Cincinnati-Dayton, which had previously favored Brown in 2018. While Brown maintained a foothold in traditionally Democratic regions such as Cleveland and Columbus, his support there was insufficient to reclaim his seat, marking a pivotal moment in Ohio’s electoral history.

This election encapsulates a significant turning point for Ohio politics, reinforcing the changing dynamics in what was once a quintessential swing state.